BIM-Based Industrialized Design Solutions Opportunities and Challenges for Healthcare Projects

Abstract

One of the strategies to reduce costs and time in the design and construction phases is the incorporation of standardized design solutions that can be systematically manufactured at off-site facilities. At the same time, the use of building information modeling (BIM) methodologies during the design process could support the consideration of this type of industrialized design solutions. However, despite the potential benefits, this is not a typical practice among designers.This study used interviews to identify areas of high potential for the use of industrialized design solutions, and to assess the main challenges of the incorporation of this type of solutions within healthcare projects. The literature review identified 25 difficulties, categorized into technical, logistical, social, economic and cultural challenges associated with off-site manufacturing. The interview results demonstrated that BIM presents an opportunity to enhance and improve the prefabrication industry. Improving communication, traceability and transparency of information, as well as anticipating and solving problems in advance, were identified to be the most important benefits of BIM adoption in industrialization. Moreover, a set of 23 types of rooms and components were found to have a high potential for industrialization when designed using BIM methods.